Abstract
The Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers (DBEE) project aimed to improve the soil in grazing systems, reduce the spread of flies, pests and diseases, increase pasture health and reduce nutrient run-off into waterways through the introduction of new dung beetle species and the provision of management information to primary producers. Investigations were undertaken into how dung beetles can improve profitability and productivity for primary producers by:
• rolling out a dung beetle services program to a network of producers and producer groups,
• improving access to information such as a dung beetle database, infield training and educational tools to improve delivery of well-adapted dung beetle species to Australian landholders,
• quantifying the benefits of dung beetles to encourage changes in farming practices to improve production and land management,
• importing new species of dung beetles to manage sheep and cattle dung, and encouraging producer-led rearing and distribution of recently imported dung beetle species.
The legacy of the project following completion is planned to be an ongoing breeding supply and distribution chain for dung beetles and an understanding of the economic value of dung beetles across the Australian landscape.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | North Sydney, NSW |
| Publisher | Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd |
| Commissioning body | Meat and Livestock Australia |
| Number of pages | 171 |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Nov 2023 |